JFilm releases its 2013 Festival lineup
This is a year of transition and celebration for the 2013 JFilm Festival.
Transition, in that the festival is moving from its old venue at SouthSide Works Cinema to the Manor Theater in Squirrel Hill.
Celebration, in that the film festival is marking its 20thanniversary.
“I think JFilm has grown significantly, adding programs throughout the year,” said JFilm Director Kathryn Spitz Cohan, who has run the festival for the past 12 years. “The film festival itself is looked upon nationally as one of the oldest most established festivals, and I like to think our festival committee has refined its taste in film. Overall, it’s become a well-oiled machine.”
“It’s a milestone year,” JFilm Committee Chair Sally Kalson said. “I don’t think anybody really believed when the festival started 20 years ago it would still be around and flourishing as an all-year organization.”
Now, JFilm is looking to the future.
This year, the JFilm Festival will present 18 movies and documentaries from the United States, Israel, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, the Palestinian territories and the Czech Republic. This year’s film line — with descriptions, times, dates and venues — is posted below.
“It’s a great lineup,” Spitz Cohan said. “I think a lot of films have a lot of music this year. Not that we ever start out to have a theme. We set out to show the best high quality films, but it just happens that music plays a part in many of them.”
Kalson particularly likes this year’s documentaries. “We have a lot of really interesting documentaries, the kind that make you watch and say, ‘oh my gosh, who knew?’ ”
Unlike in past years, the opening night film, “Paris-Manhattan” — a comedy about a French pharmacist obsessed with Woody Allen — will have two screenings: Thursday, April 11, 7 p.m., and Thursday, April 18, 5:45 p.m., both at the Manor.
That’s because JFilm has 100 fewer seats this year than at SouthSide Works — even utilizing two cinemas at the Manor. So the opening night film will be screened twice to meet demand.
Changes in movie production prompted JFilm to move from SouthSide Works to the Manor, Spitz Cohan said
“It all had to do with the conversion from 35mm projection to digital projection.
“The SouthSide Works Cinema did not know when they would be converting and could not negotiate a contract with us. The Manor was excited about hosting us.”
Other screenings are slated for Carnegie Mellon University (McConomy Auditorium), Rodef Shalom Congregation and Seton Hill University (Reeves Auditorium) in Greensburg and, for the first time, the Hollywood Theater in Dormont.
Not afraid to take chances in its film selection, JFilm is screening “Out in the Dark.” Produced partly in the Palestinian territories it is a love story about two gay men, one Israeli, one Palestinian.
“I remember reading the description and it didn’t stand out to me,” Spitz Cohan said, “but it’s just an amazing film, and the committee agreed.”
Another feature film this year is “The Return of the Violin,” the story of the remarkable journey of a 1713 Stradivarius from Bronislaw Huberman, who later founded the Israeli Philharmonic, to Joshua Bell, one of the world’s leading violinists and a “rock star” among classical music fans. Bell will be on hand following the screening at Rodef Shalom for a Q&A session.
Kalson noted the documentary “AKA Doc Thomas,” a named adopted by a Jewish kid from Brooklyn (Jerome Felder), who despite being stricken with polio became an R&B performer and songwriter.
“We know his songs, but we don’t him,” Kalson said, “and it turns out he had an amazing life despite his polio.”
One high-profile change in this year’s festival is the poster campaign that is promoting it.
“Our design firm, Wall to Wall Studios, came up with the concept to honor JFilm’s 20th festival by using real 20-year-olds from the community,” Spitz Cohan said. “We went to the Hillel JUC; they were crucial in getting us the 20-year-olds.”
Will the campaign increase ticket sales?
“At least these 20-year-olds will tell their friends and family. Maybe there will be more exposure among that age group, but we just loved the concept.”
For tickets, visit jfilmpgh.orgor call 412-992-5203 (Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Seating is limited. Tickets still available on the day of screening will go on sale at the venue 30 minutes before show time on a cash only basis. Moviegoers are urged to be in their seats 10 minutes before show time or their seats could be given to others on the waiting list.
Here are is the 2013 JFilm Festival lineup:
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Thursday, April 11 |
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7 p.m. |
Manor Theater Special Pricing: $50 if purchased by April 5 at noon $75 after April 5 at noon and at the door (cash only) |
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Friday, April 12 |
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11 a.m. |
Rodef Shalom Congregation Special Pricing: all tickets $10 |
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Saturday, April 13 |
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7 p.m. |
Manor Theater |
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9 p.m |
Manor Theater |
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Sunday, April 14 |
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1 p.m. |
Manor Theater |
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3:15 p.m. |
Manor Theater |
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6 p.m. |
Manor Theater |
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Monday, April 15 |
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7 p.m. |
Hollywood Theater |
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7:30 p.m. |
Manor Theater |
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Tuesday, April 16 |
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7 p.m. |
Seton Hill University – Reeves Auditorium |
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7:30 p.m. |
Manor Theater |
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Wednesday, April 17 |
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7 p.m. |
Manor Theater |
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8 p.m. |
CMU – McConomy Auditorium |
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Thursday, April 18 |
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11 a.m. |
Manor Theater Special Pricing: all tickets $20
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5:45 p.m. |
Manor Theater |
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7:30 p.m. |
Manor Theater |
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Saturday, April 20 |
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7 p.m. |
Manor Theater |
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9 p.m. |
Bert Stern: The Original Mad Man Manor Theater |
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Sunday, April 21 |
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1 p.m. |
Manor Theater |
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4 p..m. |
Manor Theater |
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7 p.m. |
Manor Theater |
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